The Washington Times
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said yesterday that the House will produce another immigration and border security bill this Congress and will have to pass that bill before turning to a guest-worker program.
The Texas Republican also said he will act as traffic cop on the issue, coordinating competing bills that have been introduced in the House and working with the White House and the Senate to plan strategy.
"This office is working with the Senate and the administration, trying to fashion the policy now," Mr. DeLay said during his weekly briefing with reporters.
He said the House has received the message that immigration is "an incredibly important issue to the American people."
Congress this year passed the Real ID Act, which sets federal standards for driver's licenses, allows completion of a section of border fence near San Diego and tightens restrictions on asylum seekers.
But Mr. DeLay said more security measures are needed and that the government has to prove it can enforce immigration laws before voters will be willing to accept a guest-worker program. He said the House will act on the issues in that order.
Posted by Suzanne at July 21, 2005